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Former French courtesan Claudia Valemont can’t believe her life has come to this: standing in front of a Scottish judge, sentenced to death for stealing a horse. She fled France to find her father and escape the hangman’s noose. Now here she is, facing the same fate—alone, desperate and penniless.

“Hold! I will speak for her.”

Burly Scottish hangman Jack Campbell takes pride in his work: serving justice and giving the condemned a quick end to their sorry lives. Why he spoke for that pale, hollow-eyed Frenchwoman he’ll never know. But now he’s stuck with her—assigned to be her keeper for six months’ indenture.

Bound together by the rules of her sentence, Jack and Claudia learn to appreciate their differences. But as their wary affection turns to tender desire, secrets from the past appear and threaten to destroy their future…

Previously published.

Customer Reviews (11)

Where's the Love? Where's the Romance?
To avoid the guillotine, Courtesan Claudia Velemont dresses as her maid, buys passage to England with her jewels, and seeks her Father, an Earl in Scotland. As an illegitimate daughter she's not sure about the reception she'll endure once there, but is determined to seek his protection. On the way, a few mishaps occur which cause her to think stealing a horse and finding her own way is the best way to go about it. She's caught and about to be sentenced to hang when Jack Campbell, the hangman himself, speaks up for her. The judge decides to sentence Claudia to 6 months of indentured service with Jack as her Captor. Now, Claudia has to live under Jack's roof while working for the first time in her life in a world so unlike the one she once knew.

I just couldn't get into this story. I read up to the first couple days of Claudia's indentured service working as a barmaid, but just couldn't care. Claudia wasn't anything special to me and even Jack lost my respect about half way through. I kept putting it down and read another book. I'd pick this up again only to feel disappointed and go clean my house. It took me about 2 weeks to finish this book, which I only did to see it end.

Things that didn't work for me:
1.Romance? Where's the Romance?--One minute Claudia is Jack's prisoner and is being subject to pre-dawn wakings to care for the animals and laboring 16 hours plus in the local tavern. The next page it's two weeks later and both are saying to themselves that they love the other.What? When? Where? What? How? And what again? It all seemed "He's so hot and I lust after him so it must be love." I just couldn't buy into the sudden change of feelings for both of them.
2.Language--The author went for authenticity to the detriment of the book. Claudia, raised in France with an English governess, speaks better English than the local Scots. It was very distracting to constantly read things like this: "I dinna ken ye. Ye maun have drunk sae much as tae make ye daft, for I canna make heads or tails of any of it." (Tam McBride pg 150.) Just like Tam, I had a hard time making heads or tails of what was being said.
3.Claudia--Claudia was just too stupid for her own good. She was the maker of her own destruction and kept making just plain stupid decisions. She tries multiple times to either steal a horse or escape or both. Not once does it work for her, yet she thinks she's clever enough or strong enough to pull it off this time...yet just makes the situation worse each time. I just couldn't like her. Also, she gets all scandalized at the propositions she gets from the men at the pub her first night there, even though she walks around with her boobs on display, and then goes and offers her body to Jack for safe passage to her Father's lands. Huh?
4. Jack--Oh, Jack! What happened to you? I really liked him from the moment he appeared in the local tavern. He had such charm, such purpose, such character, and so much personal integrity. Once he breaks his own personal vows to be with Claudia, I lost all respect for him. He wasn't a man of his own word.
5. Callum--Jack's half brother was so over the top "villain." He was 1 dimensional and clichéd.

Even with those things that bothered me about the story, I did find reasons to keep picking it up and finally finish it.
1. Not your typical Virgin--I really appreciated the fact that this Regency Romance didn't have the typical set up where the man is the experience lover and the woman the timid or the anxious virgin. Jack is the virgin in this story with Claudia having been the mistress of a French Aristocrat. It was a very nice touch to the story.
2.Passion--Jack and Claudia have such strong feelings for each other they make hard and tough decisions. They find ways to overcome the obstacles between them to be together.

I'm not sure if I just wasn't in the mood for this type of book or what, but it missed the mark. It just wasn't for me.

A story filled with heart, redemption and love.
`My Lord Jack,' pairs Jack Campbell and Claudia Valemont in a powerful novel packed with storyline, redemption, heartfelt emotion, and unrelenting action steeped in Scottish customs.
A unique plot twist, unrelenting action and male point of view transport readers into the world of the French courtesan and Scottish hangman where both seek redemption and ultimately, love.
The village of Selkirk Scotland is beset upon by French beauty, refugee and accused thief Claudia Valemont. Intent on finding her father in England after fleeing France and life as a courtesan, Valemont is marooned in a village and desperate to reach her destination. The decision to steal proves a nearly fatal one when she is sentenced to death until her execution is stayed by none other than, the state hangman: Jack Campbell.
Remanded into his custody for six months, Claudia must learn how to function in servitude and reconcile her past with the kindness of strangers and the love from and for Jack that grows with each day and new undertaking.
And adventures fuel the plot turns that are pleasantly unyielding.From Jack's hateful half-brother Callum intent on destroying him, to Claudia's desire to remain with Jack yet find her birth father in order to be free. At every village and country, it seems that time has run out for one or the other through missteps, or machinations keeping readers turning the pages seeking the ending they want mostly for Jack but certainly for Claudia.
What Tarr brilliantly accomplishes is a unique and very definitely, welcome romantic twist that reveals itself as the sexual tension has built to a tsunami with the very virile Campbell divulging his life-long secret.
Though this book is a journey for both, we come to truly know, respect and love Jack as he maneuvers the powerful attraction for his charge while sharing his tender side without appearing a besotted idiot. As Claudia's edges are softened by Jack's attention and patience, she wars with a need to confront her father, forgive herself and stay with Jack.
Tarr very skillfully weaves Scottish & English dialect with Claudia's French in both conversation and internal dialogue delivering an authenticity, providing deeper character insight and a sense of place in a story spanning three countries and a love that feels no boundaries.
This perfectly balanced novel furnishes readers with everything they want and more and, "Och, I ken ye will love it!" I very highly recommend `My Lord Jack'

A WONDERFUL SCOTTISH HISTORICAL ROMANCE! MY LORD JACK BY HOPE TARR
MY LORD JACK by Hope Tarr is a wonderful historical romance set in 1798 Scotland. It is well written using Scottish dialog of the era that adds authenticity to the story and if full of banter between the hero and heroine. The plot is easy to follow as well as the characters who will capture your heart and have you setting on the edge of your seat. It has wit, romance, danger, adventure, betrayal, trust, sensuality, falling in love and finding the truth. The hero, Jack, is handsome, strong, lonely, loves animals, is kind, considerate, illegitimate,compassionate and the hangman. The heroine, Claudia, is beautiful, half French, escaping the revolution of France, trying to find her noble father, is illegitimate, a courtesan, strong willed,and prosecuted as a horse thief. For this thievery, she is to hang until Jack, steps forward on her behalf. She is placed into his custody for six months, Jack, immediately feels a connection to her, but tries to deny it. Claudia is also finding him easy to fall in love with. Jack's half brother demises him,and is out to destroy Jack and Claudia. What follows is a test of true love with hardship and sacrifice. The father, Claudia, as so hoped would love her turns out to be a worst enemy, than Jack's half brother. This is a story of love, sacrifice, deceit, betrayal, friendship and with a happy ever after ending. I would highly recommend this story especially if you enjoy Scottish romance and adventure. This book was received for review from Net Galley and details can be found at Carina Press and My Book Addiction and More.

Interesting, unusual and poignant romance
What an interesting couple - he's an executioner; she's a refugee from the guillotine and revolutionary France.

Jack never intended to get involved with this woman or her problems but found himself speaking up for her when she is caught stealing a horse. Even worse, she is remanded to his custody for six months labor. Now he has to share his home and spend most everyday in her company. And this sentence also puts a crimp in Claudia's plans to find the father she never knew - a Scottish earl that may or may not know of her existence.

Claudia goes from pampered courtesan to working in a tavern. From fearing and loathing Jack and his profession to respecting and liking Jack the man. He surprises her in that he is actually very kind and gentle, an animal lover, a vegetarian and most unbelievably a virgin. He has vowed that he would never take a woman because of what happened to his mother - seduced and left to bear a child out of wedlock. But Claudia is quite a temptation for him.She's beautiful and resilient and he finds himself wanting her badly.

Though she had been the mistress of a guillotined French aristocrat for seven years, she knows little of love and tenderness - especially not from a man. But Jack's kind and gentle nature and handsome looks attract her as her former lover never did.They fall in love and then must face the villainous actions of Jack's half brother, his stepfather, not to mention Claudia's nefarious father. But love conquers all and Jack and Claudia are finally free to begin their lives anew.

A very sweet love story.

My Lord Jack
Hope Tarr brings to life and has you falling in love with the most unlikely hero and heroine in this electryfying yet enchanting story.MY LORD JACK draws you in and takes you on an unending, thrilling and sensual journey.You won't want to put this highly recommended book down. ... Read more

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refreshing!
Yes, God can use even me - even if I don't have a gift for witnessing for Him - just let Him schedule my appointment book!Divine Appointments is such an encouragement! ... Read more

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Adopted by the evil Lord Bumblebee, Gentle Jack refuses to learn to be as wicked as the lord and his followers and escapes to an island where only goodness is known. ... Read more

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! John Joseph Patrick Ryan (December 30, 1920 - January 21, 1998) best known by his stage name Jack Lord, was an American television, film, and Broadway actor. He was best known for his starring role as Steve McGarrett in the American television program Hawaii Five-O from 1968 to 1980. Lord also appeared in several classic feature films earlier in his career, among them Man of the West (1958) starring Gary Cooper. He was the first actor to play recurring character Felix Leiter in the first James Bond film Dr. No (1962) starring Sean Connery. ... Read more

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Rates with Kathy Reichs and Patricia Cornwall
Just for a change, it's extremely interesting to find an Australian author who writes crime fiction of a very high standard. The market is usually dominated by US and UK writers but Gabrielle Lorddeserves recognition as arguably Australia's finest crime fiction writer. Her hero Jack McCain is not your average clean-cut forensic psychologist but dried out drunk who has problems with his kids and women. Just when you think he will settle down Lord springs more surprises. Even though I live in Australia, I usually avoid Australian writers because of their inward looking parochialism. The novels of Gabrielle Lord could be set anywhere in the Western world. The series concerning Jack McCain are gripping page turner's. ... Read more

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Boxed Set of 6 audio tapes bring the listener sermons from the insightful and clear speaking Pastor Jack Hyles. ... Read more

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LIFE CHANGING !!
I purchased this book in 1982, as a relatively new Christian.

Next to the Bible, this book has had the most impact on my life and marriage !It truly helps a woman to understand her REAL God-given purpose, and her relationship to her husband. Every couple of years I have re-read it, and it blessed me all over again (and blessed my husband's life too). I have loaned this book to several people over the years, and it had the same impact on them.

I highly recommend this book ! ... Read more

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4 Cassette tape boxed set. ... Read more

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189 pgs, reviews by famous sinners, Random notes on Sin w/ cartoons by Phil Nesbitt, A Sintroduction by Sally Rand, no dates, ? 40's?, cartoon illus by hans hoff, VG trade pb in plastic comb, creases on covers, rubs and scuffs, some closed tears, ... Read more